What is a unique trait? A trait is a feature about a character that identifies them for who they are. Uniqueness helps them identify themselves among a sea of other characters. It doesn't take much to be unique. Today I'll explore the essence of unique traits.

Didn’t feel like doing a photoshop image this week, and wanted to add a little more variety to my blog, so here’s another post on Singapore! It’s been over a month since the trip, so some of the memories have already started to fade a bit. It’s still all good to remember some of these great experiences though!

How? Some of you may remember my article “Are you a Hentai-Otaku?!” of heated debate. This article is no different. So my wife watches anime based on eroge. She’s also fine with yuri, and she quite enjoyed a series full of otaku-trivia. Before all that, she was never interested in anime, and never really appreciated the art style. So how did it happen? You want your significant other to enjoy anime with you too? I might not have the answer specifically for you, but my story may provide you with some insight. (note this only covers anime series, and not OVAs or movies)

Vote for your favorite moe! International Saimoe League 2009! Moe (?? ?, /mo.e/, pronounced “mo-eh” literally “budding”, as with a plant) is a Japanese slang word originally referring to fetish or love for characters in video games or anime and manga. For example, ??????, meganekko-moe, “glasses-girl moe“, describes a person who is attracted to fictional characters with eyeglasses. “Moe!” is also used within anime fandom as an interjection referring to a character the speaker considers to be a moekko. It is even used in some anime, such as Ouran High School Host Club, Lucky Star, Kaichou-wa Maid-sama!, K-ON, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. There are various interpretations of what moe is today. While some argue that moe is a pure, protective feeling towards a character[1], popular use denotes moe as an adjective used to describe any features of a character that particularly “turn on” the person, sexually or otherwise.[2] The expanded use of the word has led to it being used to describe anything “hyper-cute” as well, such as the genre of anime-inspired music unique to Akihabara. Both the spellings moe and moé are used in English.[3] Some writers add an accent mark in an attempt to indicate that […]

Another fan-art. Haruhi is always so bossy and demanding. She’s the equivalent of a lot of stereotypical “violent korean girlfriends“. For Haruhi, Moe just doesn’t happen with her. Going along with the alternate Mikuru, why not reverse the role with Haruhi as well? Here’s Moe Haruhi! Super kawaii!! In terms of drawing anime art, I would have to say that the paint job in this one was most satisfying. It actually didn’t take all that long to paint or to draw either. All in all, I would have to say that moe is a very easy style to draw.

This isn’t the first time I’ve ever done fan-art. Everytime I do though, I try to represent the character in a different light, to show some variety and for people to think “what if…”. It certainly brings a bit of flavor to the picture. I decided to draw Mikuru Asahina. Mikuru is always getting abused and molested by Haruhi. She’s also completely, and ridiculously moe. So much so that I got sick and tired of it. What better way to try a fan art of Mikuru but with a completely opposite attitude for her?

I decided it was time to take a final photoshoot for Haruhi before she disappears from my shelf. A final performance to go out with a bang. So that others may share in her final performance, I’ve documented the process of how this photo was created.